Missouri TV station cancels part of Akin ad buy due to lack of payment

posted at 6:01 pm on September 7, 2012 by Allahpundit

If he’s still in the race on September 25, his name will be on the ballot in November. Tick tock.

KOMU-TV in Columbia says it received half of the payment for an ad buy, and when it didn’t get the other half, it cancelled the rest of the ads. The station says its confirmed that other stations from St. Louis to Kansas City have been put in the same position…

An Akin spokesman told KOMU that it was a scheduling mistake and the final portion of their payments is coming in the mail, so to speak.

According to WaPo, he’s raised $400,000 since August 19 while McCaskill is sitting on millions in the bank. Says one Missouri GOP strategist not associated with the campaign, “The only way he gets out is if his wife, Lulli, is either convinced they have no money and will not get any, or some of his core supporters suggest Todd get out.” Makes me wonder if McCaskill will actually ease off on her own ads until Sept. 25 lest she inadvertently remind Akin that he’ll be swamped down the stretch. Why scare him off?

Below you’ll find one that she just put out. Apart from using the color blue for the little image of Missouri at the end, you’d never know that she’s a Democrat who endorsed Obama earlier than virtually anyone else in the Senate in 2008 and cast the 60th vote for his signature boondoggle. On the contrary, she sounds like a budget-cappin’, regulation-slashin’, earmark-bannin’ small-government independent dream. Maybe you should run on the libertarian ticket, Claire. Exit question: Is Karl Rove’s dumb joke about having Akin taken out going to end up keeping this guy in the race? It’s become a rallying point for pro-Akin, anti-establishment forces, including Phyllis Schlafly’s group — even though, according to BuzzFeed, Schlafly privately urged Akin to drop out of the race herself.

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If he’s still in the race on September 25, his name will be on the ballot in November. Tick tock.

You can take that to the bank. Feel free to make a donation to Akin from that fund. =P

It’s become a rallying point for pro-Akin, anti-establishment forces, including Phyllis Schlafly’s group — even though, according to BuzzFeed, Schlafly privately urged Akin to drop out of the race herself.

Out of curiosity, was this ever corroborated, or was this as well-supported as Huckabee’s inevitable endorsement of Haley Barbour for the 2012 primaries, or the declarations that Akin was going to step down shortly before the prior Tuesday 5PM deadline?

According to WaPo, he’s raised $400,000 since August 19 while McCaskill is sitting on millions in the bank. Says one Missouri GOP strategist not associated with the campaign, “The only way he gets out is if his wife, Lulli, is either convinced they have no money and will not get any, or some of his core supporters suggest Todd get out.”

Classic Catch-22 – Akin now would have to pay to reprint the ballots, as well as the expected lawyer fees (remember, the ‘Rat Secretary of State can challenge it) to get off the ballot.\

Classic Catch-22 – Akin now would have to pay to reprint the ballots, as well as the expected lawyer fees (remember, the ‘Rat Secretary of State can challenge it) to get off the ballot.\

Steve Eggleston on September 7, 2012 at 6:13 PM

I’m sure the GOP would be willing to chip in to make that happen but I’m equally sure that Akin doesn’t see this race the way the rest of us do. He’s willing to let that awful shrew have another six years because he see’s himself running on principle.

He keeps saying that but I have yet to understand just what principle he is talking about. Yes, it isn’t fair that one stupid comment killed his campaign but he was the one who said it!

I’m sure the GOP would be willing to chip in to make that happen but I’m equally sure that Akin doesn’t see this race the way the rest of us do. He’s willing to let that awful shrew have another six years because he see’s himself running on principle.

He keeps saying that but I have yet to understand just what principle he is talking about. Yes, it isn’t fair that one stupid comment killed his campaign but he was the one who said it!

Happy Nomad on September 7, 2012 at 6:19 PM

I’m not so sure the GOP is willing to chip in, especially since once it enters Akin’s bank account, they lose control.

That said, the self-eye-gouge is mutual. The Missouri GOP would rather have 6 more years of McCaskill than have Akin in office.

If Romney weren’t such an insecure, insular, priss he would have Gingrich on every show, rebutting Slick Willie. To bench a guy like that (who is as close as we’ve got to a ‘splainer like Clinton) shows how meek the Romney campaign is. You can’t beat something with nothing and unless they go big from here on out, it’s over.
But hey, Gingrich didn’t endorse Mitt early like Pawlenty, so F-him.
‘Boston’ by way of Scrooge McDuck Lake, is a disgrace.

He made one stupid comment… Wow, like none of us ever has done that… You know what? Nobody on this board really has a right to an opinion. Unless they’re from Missouri, of course. Anybody else who says he should drop out has designated him/herself a decision-maker, a right-minded (outsider) thinker who gets to say what should be happening for the people of Missouri… hmmm, that kind of thing sort of sounds familiar, and it begins to inform me of the nature of “our” jerks on the outside looking in. Shame on the Republican establishment, shame. And shame on you who want to throw stones because it *might* cost a seat… why not throw stones at the RNC for *really* making that likely? Eh? Jerks.

UPDATE: The Akin Camp sent this update on today’s report. The campaign says it has raised $400,000 online in the last 20 days.

Akin Campaign Blasts False Story on TV Ads

St. Louis, MO: The Akin campaign today blasted a factually wrong and misleading story suggesting that television ads were being pulled due to a lack of payment and implications that the Akin campaign was running out of funds. Perry Akin, Campaign Manager, released the following statement:

“This story is simply false. Our television buyers have paid for every ad that has aired and even bought more ad time today. A political campaign, like an advertiser, makes constant decisions about where and when we want our ads to air. This is standard practice in campaigns across the country. Unfortunately, a particular television station decided to twist the facts and created a story that is simply untrue. We are still on the air across Missouri. However, we will not be doing any more business with KOMU-TV because they have lied.

“KOMU should be ashamed for publishing a false story when they know what the truth is. No ad was pulled because no ad ever airs without being paid for. Ads are only ever “pulled” from the air for legal or ethical reasons, and this ad is 100% accurate regarding Claire McCaskill’s record.

“We are exceeding our fundraising goals and have raised over $400,000 online alone in the last 20 days.”

The campaign added that they bought more broadcast ads and pulled all ads from KOMU-TV because of their unprofessionalism.

1. It’s not a matter of one stupid comment. If that’s what you think, then you haven’t been paying attention.

2. No single person is more important than control of the Senate. He is not the only person who can be the Republican nominee, but he is the only Republican who could lose to McCaskill and ensure the complete implementation of Obamacare.

So who is the replacement. Even if Akin does not leave in time and has the R, a write-in against person so much of a Obama clone one is unable to tell them apart when they are not in the same room. It is very possible with the right person and the cash behind them, cash that will flow as soon as the name is known and the person passes the right litmus tests.

People are all over Akin but if one stops fuming long enough to think it over, getting out is a darned big step.

Remember, he gave up his safe House seat to run for the Senate nomination, and he won it fair and square. If he drops out now, he is out of a job in January – and so are all his staff members, the congressional staff in DC, the home district office staff, and all the campaign staff (who would at least have had jobs through the election).

That is a lot of people to put out of work at one time over one line in one interview.

Of course, those who have righteously demanded he get out would certainly quit their jobs if they ever embarrassed the Party, right? Right?

He made one stupid comment… Wow, like none of us ever has done that… You know what? Nobody on this board really has a right to an opinion. Unless they’re from Missouri, of course.

fabrexe on September 7, 2012 at 6:31 PM

Everyone has a right to an opinion. But being from MO, I’m glad you hold mine in higher regard … and I absolutely want Akin OUT of this race. He can yammer on about principle all he wants, but it’s ego, pure and simple. He holds his “principle” above the good of the party taking the Senate back, and that, frankly, is selfish.

Unfortunately I highly doubt he’ll drop, and we’ll have to deal with Claire Bear for another 6 years. ::sigh::

Remember, he gave up his safe House seat to run for the Senate nomination, and he won it fair and square. If he drops out now, he is out of a job in January – and so are all his staff members, the congressional staff in DC, the home district office staff, and all the campaign staff (who would at least have had jobs through the election).

Adjoran on September 7, 2012 at 7:03 PM

I seem to recall that he could have switched places with the Republican candidate who is currently running for his House seat. I don’t know if that’s still possible.

I hope no one else gives the RNC a penny until they decide to help all R/Conservative candates…sorry, the RNC only supports the ones the back room wants. Regardless of Akin’s stupid views on reproduction from rape, he is and always has been solid Conservative, not just another wishy washy R, and that is his main problem when it comes to RNC backing.

sorry, the RNC only supports the ones the back room wants. Regardless of Akin’s stupid views on reproduction from rape, he is and always has been solid Conservative, not just another wishy washy R, and that is his main problem when it comes to RNC backing.

aposematic on September 7, 2012 at 7:09 PM

No. He had the complete support of the RNC until his candidacy became toxic and endangered what had been considered an easy pick-up — entirely due to his own idiocy.

I didn’t read that they pulled ads because they got the shaft, they pulled them because they didn’t get the money on time. If you are not buying KMOX, KUMO you are not serious about winning.

sorry, Todd, thx for playing the weasel game. (and no, he may not get out he may fervently believe that God will provide)…or at least he’ll be damn sure to not leave until the damage done is already done and the R party won’t win anyway. WWJD?…right Todd

“This story is simply false. Our television buyers have paid for every ad that has aired and even bought more ad time today. A political campaign, like an advertiser, makes constant decisions about where and when we want our ads to air. This is standard practice in campaigns across the country. Unfortunately, a particular television station decided to twist the facts and created a story that is simply untrue. We are still on the air across Missouri. However, we will not be doing any more business with KOMU-TV because they have lied.

“KOMU should be ashamed for publishing a false story when they know what the truth is. No ad was pulled because no ad ever airs without being paid for. Ads are only ever “pulled” from the air for legal or ethical reasons, and this ad is 100% accurate regarding Claire McCaskill’s record.

“We are exceeding our fundraising goals and have raised over $400,000 online alone in the last 20 days.”

The campaign added that they bought more broadcast ads and pulled all ads from KOMU-TV because of their unprofessionalism.

I hope no one else gives the RNC a penny until they decide to help all R/Conservative candates…sorry, the RNC only supports the ones the back room wants. Regardless of Akin’s stupid views on reproduction from rape, he is and always has been solid Conservative, not just another wishy washy R, and that is his main problem when it comes to RNC backing.

aposematic on September 7, 2012 at 7:09 PM

So you’re suggesting we just sweep his insane comment under the rug, and compromise our personal integrity and the integrity of the GOP because Akin has an “R” after his name and isn’t really “all bad”…?

Conservative or not, don’t blame the RNC for Akin’s financial woes. Akin did that to himself. Not to mention, he should have done the right thing by dropping out of the race. Last I heard, personal responsibility is just one of the things conservatives have always done better with than the liberal Dems do.

Conservative or not, don’t blame the RNC for Akin’s financial woes. Akin did that to himself. Not to mention, he should have done the right thing by dropping out of the race. Last I heard, personal responsibility is just one of the things conservatives have always done better with than the liberal Dems do.

1. It’s not a matter of one stupid comment. If that’s what you think, then you haven’t been paying attention.

2. No single person is more important than control of the Senate. He is not the only person who can be the Republican nominee, but he is the only Republican who could lose to McCaskill and ensure the complete implementation of Obamacare.

aunursa on September 7, 2012 at 6:35 PM

Akin’s premise is that he can say anything he wants and as long as he apologizes there are no consequences. Well, there are consequences. I am not commenting on whether it is fair or not, but making a national issue out of his comments and losing a presumably 14 point lead is not helpful.

I don’t have a problem with Akin if he stays in and wins. However……he is the one rolling the dice. It is his decision and the party made a decision that was theirs to make in pulling their support. There are a lot of candidates who could beat McCaskill but only one whose intemperate remarks have reduced his lead and made it more difficult.

If Romney wins, it matters a lot in the Senate. If Romney doesn’t, then we probably won’t make enough gains, (if any), to take control and Akin’s failed bid will be irrelevant for now. Overspiritualizing his candidacy simply simply reveals a man who thinks he is the only one who could serve — and anointed to do so. Akin likes to tout the fact that he won the primary. Lucky for him, his comments came after he won a tough 3-way race. If he had that interview during the primary — we would not be talking about any of this.

you got to admit the fine tuned machine that the left has running. Their own polling firms puts out fake polls, and, i’m sure, lots of the money that skin is getting comes from the Left (pls, pls, pls stay).

Remember, this election is the MOST important one in the entire history of mankind. Yet here you all are sitting around leaving the senate in jeopardy by not sending him your moneyhe is putting the seat in jeopardy rather than taking responsibility for his incompentance, dropping out, and ensuring that a candidate without his baggage will keep the seat for the Republicans.

Do you know why Mitt Romney is our candidate? Because he ran a flawless and gaffe-free campaign during the primaries? No. Because he inspired…anyone? No. Because he had the most compelling vision for the nation? No. Romney is our candidate because despite his many, many mistakes, despite his total lack of appeal, despite his highly questionable record, despite his lackluster performances at debate after debate, and despite all of the other reasons so many of us were committed to the ABR candidates, the Establishment did not waver in supporting him. Meanwhile, the ABR people jumped from one candidate to another to another in a dizzying example of “the perfect being the enemy of the good.”

There is a valuable lesson in all that: a little bit of loyalty goes a long way. Did Akin misspeak in a cringe-worthy way? Yes. And Republicans immediately piled on and made it a thousand times worse than it had to be. One thing I like about “our side” is that we tend not to tolerate criminal or morally reprehensible acts committed by people we elect. But this is not about a criminal or morally reprehensible act. There is no larger principle driving the shunning of Akin than fear that he will tarnish the Republican brand…a fear that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy if we are not careful. But if Republicans would quit throwing rocks at their own candidates and spend as much time and energy fighting the Democrats instead of each other, a win would still be possible.

Until we figure out how to present a united front, we’re toast. Unity. Unity. Unity. We stink at it, but it is our only hope. Akin decided to stay in–something he had every right to do. So let’s circle the wagons–around all of our people–and win one for the Gipper.

It would be in less jeopardy if he had the funds to compete. Kind of hard to argue that he should step down because it is the right thing to do when the Party has abandoned pretty much the rest of the right thing to do items on its platform, dontcha think? But hey, if the filibuster keeps Obamacare around by one vote, at least you showed Akin that your ideology matters. Funny how you do not give me the same credit for not supporting Romney because it is against my ideology to do so… he is too liberal for me.

Look, the man said something stupid which turns out can be partially backed up in theory by medical evidence but seriously a stretch, and we hear “well, he’s the dems GOP pick’ and all that may be true, but the alternative is Claire McKaskill

So at this point, I think when this guy wins and some say he just may, the GOP is gonna be real sorry when he’s the swing vote in the senate and they run to kiss his aasss then and find it not available (unacceptable for a dem, so that’ll be the test;).

I wouldn’t blame him for saying “eff you people” but then again a good person would do what’s right for his constituents, not politically …..but of course that’s not the case anymore, or at least isn’t until 2010 came along and we all started paying attention to these people 20/7 because like all criminals they have to be on a short leash.

If he’s still in the race on September 25, his name will be on the ballot in November. Tick tock.

Just how do you come up with a name to replace him a this point? How can that be done FAIRLY and how it can it be done DEMOCRATICALLY?

Or – do the Washington DC GOP Ayatollahs just get to “dictate” who will represent the Republican voters of Missouri?

Of course – we KNOW they will!

And the Conservative Slaves with applaud them when they OVERTURN the results of a primary election that Akin fairly won!

You guy’s will applaud them because you’re so desperate for victory you’ll compromise every principle you have – including the principle that candidates should be determined by the electorate. Once you’ve crossed that line brothers – YOU ARE IN IRAN.

Which is EXACTLY why I call the GOP elites “Ayatollahs”. In Iran – the Ayatollahs get to decide who’s on the ballot – here in the GOP – it’s the same old fu***** thing!

Remember, he gave up his safe House seat to run for the Senate nomination, and he won it fair and square. If he drops out now, he is out of a job in January – and so are all his staff members, the congressional staff in DC, the home district office staff, and all the campaign staff (who would at least have had jobs through the election).

That is a lot of people to put out of work at one time over one line in one interview.

Adjoran on September 7, 2012 at 7:03 PM

They’re already out of a job. Akin has lost this race. It’s just going to take 60 more days to confirm it. Boo hoo for the soon-to-be-jobless, but I hear there’s a lot of that going around.

Akin is beyond saving. The goal is to save the prospect of a GOP senate majority. And since the objections to Akin are entirely personal, not ideological, in nature, any other Republican has a better chance of winning that race than Akin.

Just how do you come up with a name to replace him a this point? How can that be done FAIRLY and how it can it be done DEMOCRATICALLY?

One option would be to go with the guy who got the next highest number of votes.

Or – do the Washington DC GOP Ayatollahs just get to “dictate” who will represent the Republican voters of Missouri?

No, the Missouri GOP “Ayatollahs” get to make that decision. It’s the rules according to a statute that was adopted by a democratically-elected Missouri legislature.

And the Conservative Slaves with applaud them when they OVERTURN the results of a primary election that Akin fairly won!

Akin fairly won 36% of the Republican primary vote. 64% of the primary voters didn’t choose him. His claim to a mandate of the voters is extremely far-fetched. (Yes, we’re now going to push for a runoff rule a la Texas to avoid this situation in the future.)

You guy’s will applaud them because you’re so desperate for victory you’ll compromise every principle you have – including the principle that candidates should be determined by the electorate. Once you’ve crossed that line brothers – YOU ARE IN IRAN.

HondaV65 on September 7, 2012 at 11:55 PM

Er, no. The provisions for him leaving the ballot were created in an open and democratic process. There is no time now to have another primary. But there is nothing sacred about the process that put Akin there. It’s not like he took 60% of the vote. He only received a small plurality of the primary vote, and most of the people who say they’ll vote for him this fall still want him to withdraw. This is what the people want.

Did Akin misspeak in a cringe-worthy way? Yes. And Republicans immediately piled on and made it a thousand times worse than it had to be.

butterflies and puppies on September 7, 2012 at 8:05 PM

No, that’s simply not true. The GOP did not make it worse. Akin made it worse. The national GOP did what they had to do to keep his mistake from tainting every other GOP race in the nation. What Akin said was that bad, and his “apologies” merely confirmed that a) he meant to say what he said in the first place and b) still has no idea why it was so awful. Anyone who says he still has a shot and/or that what he said wasn’t so bad, is in a huge amount of denial.

Like it or not, Akin is staying in the race. If you’re a Republican, or if you want Republicans to win the Senate, you better work your tail off to get Akin elected. Enough with the surrendering — 2 months before the election! Stop your grousing for a minute, and help us win this seat! If you’re still angry with Akin in 6 yrs, you can primary him. McCaskill and Reid must be defeated. Akin is the only vehicle for victory, so you better hop on the wagon.